London’s Tube network has been plunged into turmoil as a series of rolling strikes by the RMT union kicks off, causing severe transport delays and widespread disruption through the week.
Every London Underground line is affected, with little to no service running from Monday 8 September through Thursday 11 September 2025.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is also impacted, completely shutting down on strike days (9 and 11 September).
This London tube strike in September 2025 has effectively brought the city’s rapid transit system to a standstill, leaving commuters and visitors scrambling for alternatives.
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City-Wide Disruption and Packed Alternatives
The scale of disruption is immense – around 10,000 members of the RMT union (Britain’s National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) walked out, initiating four days of industrial action aimed at bringing the Tube to a halt.
As a result, virtually the entire Underground system is suspended or severely disrupted, and it will remain effectively closed until Thursday evening of that week.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the “serious disruption for Londoners, businesses and visitors alike” caused by the strike – a clear indicator of why it matters to everyone in the city, including tourists.
Other transport modes have been overwhelmed by the tube disruption to London travel. Buses, trams, the London Overground, and the Elizabeth Line rail are all still running, but they are extremely crowded with long queues reported.
Transport for London (TfL) even saw its website and journey planner app crash under the surge of people seeking alternate routes.
On the first weekday of the strike, queues formed outside Elizabeth Line stations and platforms were packed as this new line took on crowds of displaced Tube riders.
Uber and taxi services have also been inundated – the ride-sharing company warned of surging fares due to soaring demand during the strike.
Some limited reprieve came mid-week as a handful of Tube services resumed at the margins. By Wednesday (the third day of strikes), parts of the Central, Northern, and District lines managed to run with limited service in outer sections of the network.
However, central London remained largely unreachable by Tube, since many core stations were closed for safety due to insufficient staff. TfL data indicated that other rail modes carried about 1 million extra passengers each day to compensate.
Overall public transport usage in the capital was still down roughly 20% from normal, with many people opting to work from home or cycle instead of travel.
Commuters and visitors alike have turned to cycling and walking in huge numbers – London’s cycle hire scheme saw nearly 20,000 bikes rented by mid-day (almost double the usual figure), and river boat services on the Thames reported a 66% jump in passengers as people seek any way to get around.
Major Events Hit and Travel Plans Upended
The impact of the strikes has rippled beyond daily commutes, disrupting travel plans and even major events in the city.
Tourists and business travelers have faced major inconveniences, often needing to adjust itineraries or find alternate routes on the fly.
Many visitors arriving with luggage have been seen queuing for buses outside major rail hubs like Victoria Station, illustrating how the shutdown of the Tube has upended typical travel routines.
Hotel and hospitality industries are feeling the strain as well – London’s hospitality sector estimated losses of over £100 million in revenue during the week, with footfall down as people cancel outings due to transport difficulties.
High-profile events were not spared. In a sign of the widespread disruption, multiple big concerts were postponed because attendees simply had no way to get to venues without the Tube.
Rock band Coldplay had to reschedule two sold-out Wembley Stadium concerts planned for 7–8 September, after authorities warned it would be “impossible to get 82,000 people to the concert and home again safely” with no Tube service.
Similarly, American singer Post Malone pushed back shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to later dates.
The fact that even massive outdoor events are being called off underscores how the RMT walkout has halted London commuting and leisure activities alike.
Why is this happening? The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute over staffing, pay and working conditions.
The RMT union argues that underground staff are overworked and “rostered into exhaustion” by extreme shift patterns.
The union is demanding a four-day (32-hour) work week and better fatigue management as part of new pay negotiations.
After talks with TfL broke down with “no resolution”, workers voted overwhelmingly to strike.
TfL has called the union’s demands “neither practical nor affordable”, but so far no further meetings or compromise have been arranged to end the impasse.
In the meantime, the rolling strike action is set to continue through the week, with union leaders warning of possible further strikes ahead if their concerns aren’t addressed.
Travel Advice
Lifts closed at Heathrow’s Underground station as the Piccadilly Line – which normally links central London to Heathrow Airport – remains shut down during the strike.
Travelers to Heathrow must seek alternative routes. During this unprecedented tube disruption, London travelers need to be creative and patient.
If you’re in London during the strike, allow plenty of extra travel time and consider these tips:
- Plan Ahead & Check Status: Before setting out, use TfL’s Journey Planner or status updates (if available) and double-check the latest service information. Note that early in the strike even TfL’s site struggled, so have a backup plan and stay alert to news updates.
- Use Other Rail Lines: The Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and National Rail services are not on strike and continue to run, so use them to cover long distances across the city. Be prepared for crowding and possible delays – for example, some Overground trains experienced 20+ minute delays due to overcrowding during rush hour. Avoid traveling at peak rush hours if you can.
- Buses, Trams & Taxis: London’s extensive bus network and tram services are operational, but expect long queues and packed vehicles on popular routes. If using ride-share or taxis, be aware of surge pricing and traffic congestion on the roads. In some parts of the city (west/northwest), note that separate bus driver strikes are planned from 12–15 September, which could further affect bus availability.
- Walk or Cycle for Short Trips: Consider walking or cycling, especially within central London. Much of Zone 1 is walkable, and with the Tube down, many travelers are choosing to bike or walk to their destinations. Bike hire docks (e.g. Santander Cycles) are widely available every few blocks in the city center, though demand is high. Electric scooter rentals are also an option in some boroughs. These options can help avoid gridlock and may even be faster for short hops.
- Reaching Airports & Stations: If you need to travel to airports or major train stations, budget significant extra time. Heathrow Airport: With the Piccadilly Tube line out, use the Elizabeth Line train which runs from central London (via Paddington/Farringdon) direct to Heathrow. The Heathrow Express train from Paddington is also running normally. Gatwick & Luton: Use Thameslink trains from central London (St Pancras, London Bridge, etc.) which go directly to Gatwick and Luton airports. The Gatwick Express from Victoria Station is another fast option. Stansted: Take the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street Station. London City Airport: The DLR is suspended on strike days, so you can take the Elizabeth Line or a train to Custom House and then a short bus ride to the airport. Always verify your specific route, as some rail services might not stop at certain Tube-linked stations during early mornings or late nights of the strike.
London’s transit strike is evolving by the day. Normal Underground service is expected to resume by late morning on Friday, 12 September, once the strike wave ends.
In the meantime, travelers should remain flexible and prepared for continued delays.
While the RMT’s “Tube turmoil” has shaken up London’s transport network, city authorities and residents are adapting – and with careful planning, visitors can still navigate the city.
Keep an eye on RMT London strike news updates and TfL alerts as the week progresses , and remember that patience is key during this unprecedented travel disruption in London.